MASAKA.
The Masaka Chief Magistrates Court has accepted prayers by Edward Ssebuufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe and committed him to High Court to face trial .
The presiding magistrate Abdullah Kayiza also allowed Ssebuufu to be transferred to Luzira Prison ‘s Murchison Bay Hospital to receive better medical attention following reports that he was severely tortured while in military detention before he was dropped off at Masaka Court on May 5 .
This was in response to requests made by Ssebuufu’s lawyers led by Samuel Muyiizi .
Ssebuufu ,43 visibly looked weak , limping and momently shivering.
“Your worship, you ordered that I be accorded proper medical treatment, but I have not received it, save for the pain killers I receive daily since I was remanded, I was accused of stealing a sweeter and a phone, but the harsh punishments I have been subjected to, I think are enough, I have been tortured, beaten I can’t feel my hands and ankles because of the immense beating I got” he said during the first court session.
The state prosecutor Michael Wakosese told court that investigations into the case were complete.
The defense team, led by Samuel Muyizzi, had earlier told court that they have never accessed a medical report concerning the health condition of their client adding that Ssebuufu’s health
condition was deteriorating by the day and swiftly need proper medical attention which is not accessible within Masaka Main Prison.
“We have interacted with him and he seems not to understand what is going on, we pray that committal process can be deferred until he gets the necessary medical attention, so that he can appreciate the court process, we have for long asked to have his medical report but we have not received it until now, we ask court that he can be transferred to Luzira where he can access medical attention he requires” he added.
Ssebuufu has been on remand Masaka Main Prison since May 5 after being charged with multiple counts of robbery, assault, and malicious damage to property.
He is jointly charged with three civilian body guards of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who were earlier in late February arraigned before the same court and remanded to Masaka Main Prison .
According to the amended charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that on May 18, 2024, Ssebuufu, alongside Achilleo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Grace Wakabi Smart, and others still at large, robbed Margaret Kayondo, a Masaka-based journalist with Radio Simba, at Manja Village in Lwengo District.
The accused reportedly took her green sweater and mobile phone valued at Shs730,000 and threatened her with sharp knives and sticks.
The court also heard that the group assaulted another journalist, Zainab Namusazi, a correspondent for NBS Television, causing her actual bodily harm.
During the incident, her video camera, valued at Shs1.5 million, was reportedly destroyed.
The altercation occurred during the burial of Pascal Ssekasamba, a UK-based businessman and younger brother to former DP Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga.
Journalists were allegedly blocked from covering the event as guards loyal to Bobi Wine attempted to restrict media movement.
Further allegations indicate that the group robbed another victim, Murungi Rodgers, of a jumper, a Spark 20 mobile phone worth Shs470,000, Shs200,000 in cash, and a national ID—all valued at Shs870,000—before using violence against him.
Other victims named in the case include John Mulazi, Drake Lubega, and Haruna Ssekitto, whose phones were also stolen at the funeral.